The Departed - remake of Internal Affair

[alisa]

The remake of HK flick Internal Affair, The Departed, schedule to be out next year. The crime drama, The Departed, directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson.

Has anyone watch the original yet? I'd like to see the original before the remake.

[Samanosuke]

I have it. Good movie. Highly recommend you watching it. As for American remakes of great Asian films...... I am not for it!!!!! Booo hiss!!!!!!

[alisa]

Thanks Samaosuke, I finally get to watch Internal Affair over the weekend. It's very good one. Tony Leung is superb in there.

[glaucia]

INFERNAL AFFAIRS is wonderful. I am scared of THE DEPARTED. I hope Scorcese don't do a nonsense like GANGS OF NEW YORK.

[thatonechick]

You know, I've been thinking about this whole remake thing. Yes, I really enjoyed Infernal Affairs but in it's true form, it's a work of art like all forms of media. So, if another artist (director, writer, producer etc etc) takes the storyline and puts their own vision and personality into it then it becomes another work of art. I really think I will give this movie a chance (mostly because I like Scorsese) to see what Martin's spin is on it. To me, it won't be taking away from the original; it will be like Scorsese saying; "I really enjoy this film and here is my slant on it". In a way, it's a compiment to the original.

(on a side note, I do think that Hollywood is running out of material and that they have been looking at Asia for new material because Asian cinema is strongly becoming more popular)

Though, I do like Leo, I really don't know if he will be goodin this type of film.

I think I will start to see all remakes in this manner as everyone has their opinions and viewpoints in how they see things. It's all art after all and I personally think all art should be given a fair chance. But hey, that's just my opinion.......

So......I am looking forward to the Departed even though rumor has it there is a year's wait yet.

Oh, and Glaucia......what didn't you like about Gangs of NY? I really enjoyed that film, and was very surprised at how the US started out in such a chaotic way.......the extras on the DVD are very educational.......but I really thought the film was excellent. I found myself tearful more than once......

[glaucia]

The problem with GANGS OF NEW YORK is a lack of coherence (is It right?). The plot is a mix of romance and vengeance, but Socrcese didn't do what he is better: tell the story of people. He wasn't fair with his chacacters, and decided to a historycal view. It turns a strong story into something less. I am not saying that History isn't important, believe me, I am a phycologist who follows Vygotsky's sociointeracionim. But, History is only important when the people is in It. Not History for History. And, in the end, GANGS OF NEW YORK is It. THe worst movie made by a great director.

[glaucia]

Just to finish: a good exemple of people and History, is Scorsese's KUNDUN. A wonderful movie.

[thatonechick]

oh wow. I didn't know you are a psychologist! Well then, you have an advantage over me in your assessments!

I did think that the film was about the people and I did see the history in it also. But, for me, I really like seeing movies based on history that blends the telling of the history mixed with the emotions of the people. I think you have a really good point in your opinion that Scorsese focused more on the history than he did the people and that is what history is about. I do think that a lot of people, like me, were unaware of the true history of how our country started, so from my viewpoint the blending of the people and the history was a good balance. If he would have focused more on the people, surprisingly, a lot of Americans would probably have been lost to what the history was behind all of that. What he showed in this movie is not openly or deeply taught in school. At least it wasn't for me, many many moons ago......

Thanks for your input. You gave me a whole other way of looking at the movie that makes total sense.

Oh....too funny....I scrolled down to re-read your response and I see you brought up a movie I was just about to bring up. Kundun. I LOVED that movie, but I'm a big Dalai Lama fan, too. I was surprised he would take the time to tell this story and I really felt he did a wonderful job of blending the history of what happened with how the Dalai Lama dealt with all of it. Off to a different movie, same theme, Seven Years in Tibet is another great movie showing the history of the Dalai Lama, but from a different perspective. I was surprise that Kundun didn't even touch on the friendship the Dalai Lama had with Brad Pitt's character, but that's what's so wonderful about the re-telling of history; everyone has their own way and view and visions of what they want to show.

[Angela]

I loved IA - but am worried about a US remake. I guess I'd feel better if they just say that IA inspired this flick, but calling it a remake is just gonna piss me off. First of all, there's no way they're gonna come close to being as good as the original, imho. Secondly, they're changing some of the basics of the story, if I've heard correctly. I just wish they wouldn't call it a remake. Besides, no Andy Lau or Tony Leung?? Can't be as good